Shingle gage for stapler



Nov. 5, 1957 J. R. WHITMAN SHINGLE GAGE FOR STAPLER Filed Oct. 2, 1956 Jess R. Whitman IN V EN TOR. BY M 2,812,515 Patented Nov. 5, 1957 fiice SHINGLE GAGE FOR STAPLER Jess R. Whitman, Taliuya, Wash. Application October 2, 1956, Serial No. 613,437

3 Claims. (Cl. 149) The present invention relates to a practical, simple and easy-to-use shingle gage which is usable on and in conjunction with a fastener-applying implement, for example, a Bostitch stapler.

Staplers of the type herein under consideration are on the market and in widespread use and although the stapler itself is to be herein touched upon in terms of generalities, it could be helpful to the reader to know that these staplers are of the so-called hammer-tacker type and are covered, for example, in U. S. Patents 2,461,165 and 2,524,061. As is well known, hammer-tacker-type hand staplers are swung in the manner of an ordinary hammer with the driving mechanism for the fasteners actuated by impact of a movable part of the implement with the work, for example a shingle, into which the stapler or other fastener is to be driven. The instant invention pertains to an expedient and reliable bracket, one which lends itself to use on the head of the stapler without requiring alterations in the existing or stock parts. In the course of applying and nailing shingles it is necessary to determine the amount of freeboard which ought to be or has to be exposed and various measuring devices and implements are used for the purpose. It is the objective in the instant situation to provide the roofer who employs a stapler with a measuring bracket which is carried by the stapler and which functions adequately in the spacing of thick buck asphalt shingles. It is therefore the aim in the instant situation to obviate the necessity of using other special tools and measuring means for determining the distance of the freeboard or overlap of the shingles.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts through the views:

Fig. 1 is a view in end elevation showing the conventional type Bostitch stapler and what the bracket looks like and how it is used on the stapler and also appropriated to use in conjunction with shingles which are being measured; and

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the stapler with the measuring bracket or attachment thereon.

Referring now to the drawings with the aid of reference numerals the part of the stapler commonly referred to in the art as an arm and is denoted in Fig. 2 by the numeral 4. It has a suitable hand-grip 6 at one end and the other end portion is channel-shaped in cross-section and it terminates in a box-like head 8 which includes a top wall 10, spaced parallel side walls 12 and 14 and a front or leading wall 16. The relatively movable anvil-like impact member is denoted at 17 and these are, of course, all common parts of thestapler with which the invention is used.

Without altering the existing or stock parts of the stapler the improved shingling measuring means is applied. It may be treated perhaps as an attachment. More specifically, it is what may be conveniently called a bracket 18 which is characterized by a fiat faced bar 20 which is of the desired length and which has an end portion 22 superimposed against the wall 12. and Welded or otherwise fixedly attached thereto as at 24. This end portion terminates adjacent to the lower surface portion 26 of the head and at this point it is provided with an out-turned or right angularly disposed end member 28 which constitutes what may be called either an abutment or a check shoulder. The other end portion 30 extends well above the top of the head and it terminates in a similar laterally bent end portion 32 which provides the other abutment. These two abutments are in proper alignment and a common plane and are the prerequisite distance apart so that an edge of the shingle A, next to be applied is engaged by the abutment 32 and an edge of the companion underlying shingle B, previously applied is engaged by the abutment 28. For convenience of illustration in Fig. 1 there is also a third shingle C shown and it is believed that this showing will serve to illustrate the manner in which the gage or measuring means is brought into play. In practice it has been found desirable to stabilize the bracket by way of an added brace 34 and this is diagonally disposed and attached at one end to the top 10 and at its opposite end to the upper end portion 30 of the bracket.

Although the invention is the utmost in simplicity of design and construction it functions effectually and serves the purposes for which it is intended. A roofer having this tool or simplement at his disposal is placed in a highly satisfactory position and may accomplish his often precarious and time consuming tasks with a minimum of effort and laboring time.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in conjunction with a manually usable stapler such as is used for stapling asphalt and similar shingles, in combination, a stapler embodying an arm and staple supply and applying means, said arm having a head at its outer end and said head having at least one flat face, and means for spacing the end of a shingle from the end of a previously applied shingle comprising means rigidly mounted on said flat face and having projections spaced from each other a distance of the desired spacing between the ends of the shingles.

2. For use in conjunction with a manually usable stapler which is used in the fashion of an ordinary hammer and is characterized by a magazine for staples and means for applying the staples and has a handle with a head having at least one flat face, and means for spacing the end of a shingle comprising a rigid linearly straight bar having one end portion superimposed upon and rigidly secured to said one flat face, said bar having laterally directed end portions providing abutments, said abutments being spaced from each other a distance of the desired spacing between the ends of the shingles.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 and wherein said bar is of a length greater than the height of said head and has its upper end portion projecting beyond the top of the head and the combination therewith of a brace connected at one end of the bar member and adapted to be connected at its opposite end to said head.

No references cited. 

